Melksham

Melksham man to pay back only £1 from drugs crime

A Melksham bodybuilder who sold weak cocaine to other gym users so they could train for longer made £20,000 from his crime.

But Ross Fleming, who was jailed for two years and 10 months last November, has been told he must repay just £1.

The 35-year-old former soldier was brought back before a judge at Swindon Crown Court on Friday for a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

But because he has no realisable assets the nominal order was made, and should he come into money in the future the authorities can pursue him for the rest.

Judge Euan Ambrose said that if he did not pay the £1 then he would serve a further seven days in custody.

Police raided an address in Phelps Parade, Calne, where he was living in July 2012 and, though they only found a small amount of cocaine, he had huge quantities of cutting agents and presses for making tablets.

When he was arrested he insisted all the drugs were for his personal use as he had drink and cocaine habits.

But he later admitted he would sell the drugs, mixed to be very weak, to friends at the gym to allow them lift weights for longer.

Fleming, of Linnet Lane, Melksham, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.